Tinubu Taps Ex-Defence Chief Musa as New Defence Minister
By the Newsroom
KANO – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence
The swift and strategic move followed Monday’s sudden resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar over health reasons .
The announcement came through a formal communication to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday.
In the letter, President Tinubu conveyed his confidence in General Musa’s capacity to take charge of the defence portfolio at a time the country continues to battle complex security challenges. The president said Musa was best suited to carry forward ongoing reforms and strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
General Musa, who turns 58 on December 25, is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished military officers. His record includes serving as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025, during which he spearheaded several counter-terrorism and stabilisation initiatives across the country.
Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa attended primary and secondary school in the state before proceeding to the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. After graduating in 1986, he entered the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year and earned a Bachelor of Science degree upon completing his military training in 1991.
Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1991, Musa quickly established himself as an exceptional officer. Over the years, he held key appointments including General Staff Officer 1, Training and Operations at Headquarters 81 Division; Commanding Officer of the 73 Battalion; and Assistant Director for Operational Requirements in the Department of Army Policy and Plans.
His operational experience deepened in 2019 when he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training and Operations at the Infantry Centre, and later as Commander of Sector 3 in both Operation Lafiya Dole and the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin — assignments that tested and sharpened his strategic leadership.
In 2021, Musa became Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, leading major offensives against insurgent groups in the northeast. His leadership later earned him the position of Commander, Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, before President Tinubu appointed him Chief of Defence Staff in 2023.
President Tinubu, in his letter, urged the Senate to expedite the confirmation process, expressing strong belief that General Musa’s wealth of experience, including his Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012, will significantly bolster Nigeria’s defence operations.
The nomination is seen as a decisive step toward sustaining military reforms and ensuring stability nationwide.